Kamala Harris Unveils Economic Plan With $6,000 Child Tax Credit for Newborns
Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled an economic plan that includes a bold proposal: a child tax credit expansion offering up to $6,000 in total tax relief for families with newborn children. The plan, announced during a policy speech in Raleigh, North Carolina, aims to restore the higher child tax credit enacted in 2021 through the American Rescue Plan, which provided a maximum credit of up to $3,600 per child.
Key Takeaways:
- Harris’s plan would provide $6,000 in tax relief during a child’s first year of life. This is a significant increase from the current maximum of $2,000 per child.
- The proposal is seen as a direct response to a similar proposal from Republican Senator JD Vance. Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, floated a $5,000 child tax credit earlier this month.
- The proposal has sparked debate about the feasibility and cost of expanding the child tax credit. Some experts believe the expansion would be expensive and difficult to implement, particularly given the current budget deficit.
- Bipartisan support for expanding the child tax credit exists. However, the size of the expansion and its design will heavily depend on the outcome of the upcoming election.
“Bipartisan Momentum” for Child Tax Credit Expansion
The idea of expanding the child tax credit is gaining traction across the political spectrum. While Senate Republicans blocked a House-passed bill to expand the credit in August, they are expected to revisit the measure after the election.
“There is bipartisan momentum behind expanding the [child tax credit],” stated Andrew Lautz, associate director for the Bipartisan Policy Center’s economic policy program.
The exact details of any future expansion will depend on which party controls the White House and Congress. However, the previous House bill and the ensuing Senate negotiations could provide a framework for future discussions.
The Looming Expiration of Child Tax Credit Benefits
The current maximum child tax credit will fall from $2,000 to $1,000 after 2025 if Congress doesn’t take action, coinciding with the expiration of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. The American Rescue Plan temporarily raised the maximum credit to either $3,000 or $3,600, depending on the child’s age, and provided families with monthly payments for 2021.
This temporarily expanded credit played a significant role in lowering child poverty rates to a historic low of 5.2% in 2021, according to a Columbia University analysis. The potential loss of these benefits could put many families at risk of falling back into poverty.
Balancing Costs and Benefits of Child Tax Credit Expansion
While the potential benefits of expanding the child tax credit are clear, its cost is a significant factor. Experts like Kyle Pomerleau, senior fellow and federal tax expert with the American Enterprise Institute, believe a future expansion will likely be smaller than what Harris or Vance have proposed.
The federal budget deficit and the need to address trillions in expiring tax cuts create a challenging financial environment. Expanding the child tax credit to $3,000 or $3,600 could cost an estimated $1.1 trillion over a decade, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The expansion to $6,000 for newborns could cost an additional $100 billion.
The Harris campaign has stated that her economic plan would address these concerns through "commitment to fiscal responsibility," including calls for higher taxes on wealthy Americans and large corporations.
Navigating the Political Landscape
The child tax credit expansion debate highlights the deep political divides surrounding economic policy. With the upcoming election, the future of the child tax credit and other social programs will depend on the balance of power in Washington. Whether the focus will be on cost-effectiveness or on meeting the needs of families with young children remains to be seen.
The next few months will be crucial for determining the shape of the child tax credit and its impact on American families. The political climate, budget constraints, and public pressure will all play a role in shaping the future of this vital policy.